Norman and Elliot bought a similar laptop at an IT Fair. Norman spent 3/11 of his savings and Elliot spent 2/9 of his savings. Given that the boys had $3700 left altogether, how much was Norman's savings at first?
Call Norman's total savings = N
Call Elliot's savings = E
Since the price of the laptop for both was the same
(3/11)N = (2/9)E
E = (9/2)(3/11) N = (27/22)N
Norman had (8/11)N remaining
Eliot had (7/9)E remaining
So
(8/11)N + (7/9)E = 3700
(8/11)N + (7/9) [ 27/22] N = 3700
(8/11)N + (21/22)N = 3700
(8/11 + 21/22) N = 3700
(37/22) N = 3700
N = 3700 (22/37 ) = $2200